Connect with us

News

GM has a new plan to overtake Tesla, and it starts with an electric van

(Credit: AutoGuide.com)

Published

on

General Motors has a plan to take Tesla’s label as the leader of the EV industry away, and it involves taking on a market that the electric car maker is yet to tackle.

GM is planning to develop an electric delivery van that would be used by entities like UPS, Amazon, or even the United States Postal Service, Reuters was told by people familiar with the matter.

The plan could end up putting GM into the commercial electric vehicle conversation. However, the project, when combined with Ford, Rivian, and other EV makers, is a potentially multi-billion-dollar idea that could help the companies build and deliver a substantial amount of electric cars.

It could also help the companies tackle Tesla by targeting a segment that the Elon Musk-led company is yet to address. That being said, it should be noted that consumer vehicles are much more popular than delivery vans, so there’s not much of a threat for Tesla to be derailed by EVs that are designed to carry packages.

Advertisement

GM’s plan for a van has not been reported previously. The company, along with Ford, was reportedly advised to keep any plans under wraps. Trucks and commercial vehicles are among the two Detroit-based companies’ most profitable vehicles, and suggestions from suppliers recommended that things remain quiet regarding the development of electric vans.

They “don’t want to leave the door open for Tesla,” which is something the companies both did with consumer passenger vehicles.

The GM van is currently recognized under a pseudonym – the BV1. It is set to start production in late 2021 at the automaker’s Detroit-Hamtramck plant, according to sources, and it will share several components that with GM’s electric pickups and SUVs. One of these is the Ultium battery system.

UPS Senior Director of Fleet Maintenance and Engineering Scott Phillippi said that the company believes battery-powered vans have the potential to disrupt the commercial market. “It’s going to be similar to what the Model 3 has done for the consumer market,” he said.

Advertisement

Even though GM is planning a strong push to develop battery-electric cars within the next few years, there is little evidence that their technology will outperform Tesla’s. GM claims that it is close to a million-mile battery, something that has been a major focal point of Tesla’s battery tech developers for years. But for now, the veteran automaker is yet to prove its EV capabilities in the market.

Joey has been a journalist covering electric mobility at TESLARATI since August 2019. In his spare time, Joey is playing golf, watching MMA, or cheering on any of his favorite sports teams, including the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles, Miami Heat, Washington Capitals, and Penn State Nittany Lions. You can get in touch with joey at joey@teslarati.com. He is also on X @KlenderJoey. If you're looking for great Tesla accessories, check out shop.teslarati.com

Advertisement
Comments

News

Tesla ramps up Sweden price war with cheaper Model Y offer

The incentive effectively acts as a manufacturer-funded EV bonus and makes the entry-level Model Y more affordable.

Published

on

Credit: Tesla

Tesla has introduced a new 40,000 SEK incentive in Sweden, lowering the price of its most affordable Model Y to a record low. The incentive effectively acts as a manufacturer-funded EV bonus and makes the entry-level Model Y more affordable.

As per a report from Swedish auto outlet Allt om Elbil, Tesla Sweden is offering a 40,000 SEK electric car bonus on the entry-level Tesla Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive variant. The incentive lowers the purchase price of the base all-electric crossover to 459,900–459,990 SEK, depending on listing.

The bonus applies to orders and deliveries completed by March 31, 2026. Tesla Sweden is also offering zero-interest financing as part of the campaign.

Last fall, Tesla launched a new base version of the Model Y starting at 499,990 SEK. The variant features a refreshed design and simplified equipment compared to the Premium and Performance variants. The new 40,000 SEK incentive now pushes the entry model well below the 460,000 SEK mark.

Advertisement

So far this year, the Model Y remains the most registered electric vehicle in Sweden and the third most registered new car overall. However, most registrations have been for higher Premium-spec versions. The new incentive could then be Tesla’s way to push sales of its most affordable Model Y variant in the country. 

Tesla is also promoting private leasing options for the entry-level Model Y at 4,995 SEK per month. Swedish automotive observers have noted that leasing may remain the more cost-effective option compared to purchasing outright, even after the new discount.

The base Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive offers a WLTP range of 534 kilometers, a top speed of 201 km/h, and a 0–100 km/h time of 7.2 seconds. Tesla lists energy consumption at 13.1 kWh per 100 kilometers, making it the most efficient version of the vehicle in the lineup and potentially lowering overall ownership costs. 

Continue Reading

News

Tesla China hires Autopilot Test Engineer amid continued FSD rollout preparations

The role is based in Lingang, the district that houses Gigafactory Shanghai.

Published

on

Credit: Grok Imagine

Tesla is hiring an Autopilot Test Engineer in Shanghai, a move that signals continued groundwork for the validation of Full Self-Driving (FSD) in China. The role is based in Lingang, the district that houses Gigafactory Shanghai and has become a key testing zone for advanced autonomous features.

As observed by Tesla watchers, local authorities in Shanghai’s Nanhui New City within Lingang have previously authorized a fleet of Teslas to run advanced driving tests on public roads. This marked one of the first instances where foreign automakers were permitted to test autonomous driving systems under real traffic conditions in China. 

Tesla’s hiring efforts come amid ongoing groundwork for a full FSD rollout in China. Earlier reporting noted that Tesla China has been actively preparing the regulatory and infrastructure foundation needed for full FSD deployment, even though the company has not yet announced a firm launch date for the feature in the market.

As per recent comments from Tesla China Vice President Grace Tao, the electric vehicle maker has been busy setting up the necessary facilities to support FSD’s full rollout in the country. In a comment to local media, Tao stated that FSD should demonstrate a level of performance that could surpass human drivers once it is fully rolled out. 

Advertisement

“We have set up a local training center in China specifically to handle this adaptation,” Tao said. “Once officially released, it will demonstrate a level of performance that is no less than, and may even surpass, that of local drivers.”

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been quite bullish about a potential FSD rollout in China. During the 2025 Annual Shareholder Meeting, Musk emphasized that FSD had only received “partial approval” in China, though full authorization could potentially arrive around February or March 2026. This timeline was reiterated by the CEO during his appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Elon Musk

Tesla Model Y outsells all EV rivals in Europe in 2025 despite headwinds

The result highlights the Model Y’s continued strength in the region.

Published

on

tesla-model-y-giga-berlin-delivery
Credit: Tesla

The Tesla Model Y was Europe’s most popular electric car in 2025, leading all EV models by a wide margin despite a year marked by production transition, intensifying competition, and anti-Elon Musk sentiments. 

The result highlights the Model Y’s continued strength in the region even as Volkswagen overtook Tesla as the top-selling EV brand overall.

As per data compiled by JATO Dynamics and reported by Swedish outlet Allt om Elbil, the Tesla Model Y recorded 149,805 registrations across Europe in 2025. That figure placed it comfortably at No. 1 among all electric car models in the region.

The Model Y’s performance in Europe is particularly notable given that registrations declined 28% year-over-year. The dip coincided with Tesla’s Q1 2025 transition to the updated Model Y, a changeover that temporarily affected output and deliveries in several markets. Anti-Elon Musk sentiments also spread across several European countries amidst the CEO’s work with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Advertisement

Even with these disruptions, the Model Y outsold its nearest rival by more than 50,000 units. Second place went to the newly launched Skoda Elroq with 93,870 registrations, followed by the Tesla Model 3 at 85,393 units. The Model 3 also recorded a 24% year-over-year decline. Renault’s new electric Renault 5 placed fourth with 85,101 registrations.

Other top performers included the Volkswagen ID.4, ID.3, and ID.7, along with the BMW iX1 and Kia EV3, many of which posted triple-digit growth from partial-year launches in 2024.

While the Model Y dominated individual model rankings, Volkswagen overtook Tesla as Europe’s top EV brand in 2025. Volkswagen delivered 274,278 electric cars in the region, a 56% increase compared to 2024. Much of that growth was driven by the Volkswagen ID.7. Tesla, by contrast, sold 236,357 electric vehicles in Europe, representing a 27% year-over-year decline.

JATO Dynamics noted that “Tesla’s small and aging model range faces fierce competition in Europe, both from traditional European automakers and a growing number of Chinese competitors.”

Advertisement

Despite intensifying competition and brand-level shifts, however. the Model Y’s commanding lead demonstrates that Tesla’s bestselling crossover remains a dominant force in Europe’s fast-evolving EV landscape.

Continue Reading